The Uzbeks were returned to their homeland Thursday. The Associated Press reports they had been held in Kazakh jails since last year, when Uzbekistan made the extradition request.

Numerous United Nations reports have criticized the treatment of prisoners held in Uzbek facilities. A 2007 report by the U.N. Committee Against Torture found that torture in Uzbekistan is "routine" and occurs "with impunity."

The Uzbek government has provided diplomatic assurances that the men will not be tortured.